2 Japan ministers censured in blow to PM

Two cabinet ministers were censured Friday by the Japanese upper house of parliament, in a blow to the three-month old government of Yoshihiko Noda. "It is clear that Defence Minister (Yasuo) Ichikawa... is threatening Japan's national security and damaging the national interest by his irresponsible words and attitudes," the motion said. The opposition-controlled upper house passed the motion against Ichikawa, with 130 of the 239 lawmakers approving the move after he made a series of gaffes that riled the people of Okinawa, reluctant hosts to a large US military presence. A separate censure motion was also passed against Kenji Yamaoka, the minister for consumer affairs. Yamaoka has been alleged to have ties with business groups known for running pyramid schemes, and stands accused of not being an appropriate person to be in charge of consumer affairs.